A Calculated Gambit and a New Alchemist

A wave of tenderness washed over Yu Qingxuan’s heart as she listened to Qin Yan’s earnest words.

‘Damn it,’ she thought.

‘Why had she been so pointlessly competitive with her junior brother?’

‘Such behavior only served to make her appear ungenerous.’

“Cough, cough—” Yu Qingxuan cleared her throat softly, having reached this conclusion.

Then, with a measured tone, she began, “Junior brother, my behavior, I assure you, stemmed from a deep concern for you.”

“Your striking looks and unique identity are bound to draw unwanted attention and covetous gazes.”

“Xiao Miao, being a perennial magnet for misfortune, will undoubtedly lead to more bizarre incidents if she remains by your side.”

“Senior sister speaks wisely…” Qin Yan readily agreed.

Indeed, from his senior sister’s perspective, considering their past experiences, it seemed that misfortune invariably followed whenever Xiao Miao made an appearance.

Yet, from his own experience, since his fateful encounter with Xiao Miao, he had stumbled upon one fortuitous encounter after another: first, the legacy of the Mohist Grandmaster of Mechanisms; and second, the Ancient Willow Secret Realm.

Clearly, however, this was not the opportune moment to share such details with his senior sister.

“I understand your good intentions, junior brother,” Yu Qingxuan continued, a hint of melancholy clouding her features.

“However, I am well aware of the severity of my injuries.”

“Even if that young woman possesses some extraordinary treasure, without the intervention of a Nascent Soul stage senior, my wounds will be exceedingly difficult to heal.”

“Just as I once treated the toxins within your body in that mountain cave, matters concerning a Golden Core are not to be taken lightly.”

‘Xiao Miao actually does have a Nascent Soul stage senior by her side,’ Qin Yan mused inwardly.

‘Yet, I absolutely cannot reveal this information.’

‘Doing so would undoubtedly incur the displeasure of both Xiao Miao and her Shizun.’

“Senior sister, even if that is the case, why not allow Xiao Miao to attempt it?” Qin Yan suggested.

“If she succeeds, it will, of course, be a joyous outcome for all involved.”

“Should she fail, then we simply resign ourselves to it.”

“Besides, senior sister, do you not feel that this is something Xiao Miao owes you?”

Qin Yan’s final words resonated deeply with Yu Qingxuan, instantly dispelling her doubts and clearing her mind.

‘Indeed! It was that young woman’s fault entirely!’ she realized.

‘If not for that jinx attracting the demon dragon, why would I have had to expose my Golden Core,’

‘And prepare for a self-detonation with that monstrous beast?’

“Junior brother’s words… are absolutely spot-on!”

Yu Qingxuan’s eyes gleamed with newfound clarity.

She realized she had been entirely sidetracked, having gone down a rabbit hole, constantly fixated on the idea that she would be indebted to Xiao Miao for a favor—a favor, moreover, that her junior brother had to beg for.

What had Xiao Miao even said to her junior brother? “You wouldn’t want your senior sister…” and other such manipulative words.

Tracing the threads of cause and effect, it was indeed Xiao Miao who was indebted to her.

Furthermore, this presented a perfect opportunity for a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

Yu Qingxuan genuinely doubted Xiao Miao’s ability to heal her injuries.

If she failed, it would effectively curb the young woman’s arrogance in front of her junior brother.

Should she miraculously succeed, that would be even better!

“Come, let’s go! Back to find that young woman.”

Yu Qingxuan declared, seizing Qin Yan’s hand and practically dragging him back towards the small courtyard.

Upon reaching the courtyard, they found Xiao Miao deeply engrossed in alchemy.

This sight made Yu Qingxuan’s teeth itch with irritation; the young woman was truly presumptuous, treating the place as her own home.

When cultivating elixirs, a practitioner must be wholly absorbed in the process.

Any disturbance, however slight, could lead to the cauldron exploding; a more severe interruption might cause the practitioner’s spiritual energy to rampage, leading to qi deviation.

“Junior brother, has Xiao Miao perhaps used the matter of my treatment to threaten you?” Yu Qingxuan inquired.

“Senior sister, your imagination is truly boundless,” Qin Yan replied,

‘Of course she hasn’t.’

‘If I were to say yes, senior sister would undoubtedly launch a sneak attack on Xiao Miao right now.’

‘That has always been her way.’

A flicker of disappointment crossed Yu Qingxuan’s face upon hearing his reply.

If such a thing had genuinely occurred, she would have had ample justification to disrupt Xiao Miao’s alchemy.

However, since there was no such pretext, and considering there was no life-or-death enmity between her and Xiao Miao, if she were to act so brazenly, it would undeniably tarnish her reputation as a member of a prestigious righteous sect.

Therefore, Xiao Miao must harbor some guilt.

After acquiring the rare treasure, she had contacted Qin Yan, and the two had evidently conferred, preparing to attempt to resolve her issues.

‘At least the young woman possesses some semblance of a good heart.’

“Junior brother, let us stand guard for this young woman.”

Yu Qingxuan announced, a generous expression gracing her features.

‘By displaying such magnanimity and casting aside past grievances, I am sure to leave a profound impression on my junior brother’s heart.’

Qin Yan was somewhat taken aback by her words.

He had not anticipated his senior sister offering to stand guard for Xiao Miao.

Of course, even if his senior sister hadn’t offered, he would have done so himself.

Time passed, and as the sun began to set, Xiao Miao finally opened her eyes.

The cauldron before her hissed open, and a burst of golden light emanated from within, illuminating the entire residence.

Every cultivator within Chang’an City felt its profound ripple.

In an instant, countless divine senses probed towards their location.

“Hmph! I am Yu Qingxuan, a Golden Core cultivator of the Yanqing Sect, from the Yu family.”

“How dare any of you presume to probe this place?”

Yu Qingxuan let out a cold snort, her divine sense expanding outwards, blocking the intrusive divine senses of the curious cultivators.

The next moment, the entire courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.

Xiao Miao rose to her feet and retrieved two pills from the cauldron before her.

These were Spirit Soothing Pills, a third-grade elixir primarily composed of Ghost Grass leaves.

Having successfully refined a third-grade elixir, Xiao Miao was, from this moment forth, officially a third-grade alchemist.

Such a status commanded immense respect throughout the Northern Lands; wherever she went, she would be treated with the utmost courtesy.

While cultivators were numerous, alchemists were a rare breed, and the significance of being an alchemist needed no further explanation.

“Shizun, I’ve become a third-grade alchemist!”

Xiao Miao, brimming with excitement, spoke to her Shizun within her storage ring.

One of the Spirit Soothing Pills was, naturally, refined specifically for her Shizun.

This particular elixir served as an excellent tonic for her Shizun, who existed in a spiritual form.

Xiao Miao’s Shizun was deeply moved by her disciple’s filial devotion.

After all, there were countless third-grade elixirs, yet Xiao Miao had chosen this specific one, and her Shizun understood the underlying intention perfectly.

“Congratulations, little Miaozi, but do take a moment to look around you.”

“Qin Yan and his senior sister have been standing guard for you for half a day,” Xiao Miao’s Shizun remarked.

Hearing this, Xiao Miao turned her head.

While Qin Yan guarding her was understandable, his senior sister standing guard felt as improbable as the sun rising from the west.

With this thought, Xiao Miao approached Qin Yan and extended a hand, offering one of her freshly refined elixirs.

“Qin Yan, this Spirit Soothing Pill is for you.”

“If not for your presence in that secret realm, I doubt I would have been able to obtain those two peculiar Ghost Grass leaves.”

‘What secret realm?!’ Yu Qingxuan’s elegant brow arched upon hearing this.

‘It seems my junior brother and Xiao Miao have shared quite a few experiences.’

Qin Yan accepted the elixir without a hint of hesitation.

“Xiao Miao, I have agreed to let you attempt to treat me.”

“To be frank, I have absolutely no faith in your abilities.”

“However, this is also something you owe me, for if it weren’t for you at that time, I would not have found myself in such a predicament.”

Yu Qingxuan stated then.

Xiao Miao’s brow furrowed slightly at these words.

Qin Yan’s senior sister was truly sharp-tongued, even venomous.

Yet, she couldn’t deny the truth of her statement; that was indeed how things had unfolded.